Fans of romantic comedy and isekai genres have reason to rejoice as the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Akiharu Tōka’s popular manga, The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess (Tensei Akujo no Kuro Rekishi), has officially premiered. The series, which promises a unique blend of humor, drama, and self-referential storytelling, began its broadcast in Japan on October 9, 2025, and is now available for international streaming.
What is The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess About?
The anime thrusts viewers into a captivating narrative centered around Konoha Satou, an ordinary office worker whose life takes an extraordinary turn after a fatal accident. Instead of a peaceful afterlife, Konoha finds herself reincarnated into the world of “The Dark History”—a melodramatic fantasy novel she penned during her middle school years. However, much to her dismay, she isn’t the heroic protagonist she created. Instead, Konoha awakens in the body of Iana Magnolia, the story’s despised villainess, who is fated for a swift and unfortunate demise.
Armed with her intimate knowledge of the novel’s intricate plot, Konoha, now as Iana, embarks on a desperate mission to subvert her grim destiny. Her goal is not only to survive but also to protect her sister, the true heroine of “The Dark History,” inadvertently altering the original storyline in comical and dramatic ways. The series masterfully plays with the “reincarnated villainess” trope, offering a witty exploration of the connection between authors and their creations.
Production Details: Studio, Staff, and Music
Behind the vibrant animation and engaging storytelling of The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess is Studio DEEN. The series is helmed by director Hiroaki Sakurai, known for his work on titles such as The Demon Girl Next Door. Overseeing the series composition is Mitsutaka Hirota, while Tomoyo Sawada is responsible for designing the captivating characters. The enchanting musical score that accompanies Iana’s journey is composed by Ryūichi Takada.
The anime’s opening theme song, “Black Flame,” is performed by KID PHENOMENON from EXILE TRIBE, setting an energetic tone for each episode. The ending theme, “Rengene,” is performed by Zerofrom.
Key Cast and Voice Actors
The English and Japanese voice casts bring the colorful characters of “The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess” to life:
- Iana Magnolia / Konoha Satou: Voiced by Yoshino Aoyama in Japanese and Kelsey Cruz in the English dub.
- Konoha Magnolia: Voiced by M.A.O in Japanese and Luci Christian in the English dub.
- Sol Nemophyra: Voiced by Shōhei Komatsu in Japanese and Blake McNamara in the English dub.
- Ginoford Dandelion: Voiced by Makoto Furukawa in Japanese and David Matranga in the English dub.
- Yomi Blacksarana: Voiced by Shunichi Toki in Japanese.
- Cheneau Clematis: Voiced by Arthur Lounsbery in Japanese.
Where and When to Watch the Premiere
The anime adaptation of The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess premiered in Japan on October 9, 2025, airing on networks such as TV Tokyo.
For international viewers, Crunchyroll is the official streaming platform, making the series accessible across North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS. New subbed episodes are released weekly on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. PDT / 12:00 p.m. EDT.
For those who prefer to watch in English, the English dub of The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess also premiered on Crunchyroll, starting October 22, 2025. The first season is slated to run for 12 episodes.
The Manga’s Enduring Popularity
The anime is based on the ongoing manga series written and illustrated by Akiharu Tōka, which began serialization in Hakusensha’s LaLa shōjo manga magazine in August 2018. The manga has garnered a dedicated fanbase for its comedic take on the isekai genre and its protagonist’s determined efforts to rewrite her “dark history.” Yen Press is responsible for publishing the English-language version of the manga.
With its intriguing premise, talented production team, and engaging characters, The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess anime promises to be a standout addition to the Fall 2025 anime season, offering both laughter and unexpected emotional depth.
